1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. FORMALIN (as FORMALDEHYDE)
Label abbreviations descriptions

FORMALIN (as FORMALDEHYDE)‡

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 50-00-0
Formula
 

CH₂O
Synonyms
 
 

formic aldehyde; lysoform; methanal; oxomethane; oxymethylene solution; paraform; formaldehyde (solution)
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor.
Boiling point 214°F Molecular weight varies
Freezing point/melting point -134°F Vapor pressure 1 mmHg
Flash point 185°F Vapor density 1.04
Specific gravity Ionization potential 10.88 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 7% Upper explosive limit (UEL) 73%
NFPA health rating 3 NFPA fire rating 2
NFPA reactivity rating 0 NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media
Sampling time*
 
 

 
Sampling volume (TWA)*
 
 

 
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*
 
 

 
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*
 
 

 
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*
 
 

 
Analytical method instruments
Method reference
Notes
 
 

See FORMALDEHYDE. Do NOT use passive monitors to sample for formalin.
Special requirements
 
 

 

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
 
 

 
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
 
 

 
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions)
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA
 
 

0.75 ppm [0.5 ppm Action Level]

 REL-TWA
 
 

0.016 ppm

 TLV-TWA
 
 

0.1 ppm [2016]

 PEL-TWA
 
 

0.75 ppm [0.50 ppm Action Level]
PEL-STEL
 
 

2 ppm

 REL-STEL
 
 

 

 TLV-STEL
 
 

0.3 ppm [2016]

 PEL-STEL
 
 

2 ppm
PEL-C
 
 

 

 REL-C
 
 

0.1 ppm [15 minutes]

 TLV-C
 
 

 

 PEL-C
 
 

 
Skin notation
 
 

N

 Skin notation
 
 

N

 Skin notation
 
 

N

 Skin notation
 
 

N
Notes:
 
 

See 29 CFR 1910.1048, Formaldehyde.

 Notes:
 
 

CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A, NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens.

 Notes:
 
 

respiratory sensitizer (RSEN), dermal sensitizer (DSEN)

 Notes:
 
 

See California Code of Regulations; Title 8, §5217. Formaldehyde.
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH
 
 

20 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: IARC-1, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-R, OSHA-Ca, TLV-A1, EPA-B1 Notes:
 
 

Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:
 
 

1 ppm/10 ppm/40 ppm
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Formaldehyde, solutions (formalin) (corrosive)

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Formalin (as formaldehyde)

Literature References

 
 
  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Formaldehyde. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • EPA: Hazard Summary - Formaldehyde.
  • ATSDR: Toxicological profile for formaldehyde. July 1999 (Addendum 2010).
  • Collins, J.J., Esman, N.A., Hall, T.A.: A review and meta-analysis of formaldehyde exposure and pancreatic cancer. Am J Ind Med. 39(3):336-45, March 2001.
  • EPA IRIS Formaldehyde 1991.
  • Hauptmann, M., Lubin, J.H., Stewart, P.A., Hayes, R.B., and Blair, A.: Mortality from solid cancers among workers in formaldehyde industries. Am J Epidemiol. 15;159(12):1117-30, June 2004.
  • Hauptmann, M., Stewart, P.A., Lubin, J.H., Beane Freeman, L.E., Hornung, R.W., Herrick, R.F., Hoover, R.N., Fraumeni, J.F. Jr., Blair, A., and Hayes, R.B.: Mortality from lymphohematopoietic malignancies and brain cancer among embalmers exposed to formaldehyde. J Natl Cancer Inst. 101(24):1696-708, December 16, 2009.
  • IARC Monographs on the evaluation of Carcinogenicity to Humans, volume 100F, Formaldehyde, 2012.
  • Kilburn, K.H.: Neurobehavioral impairment and seizures from formaldehyde. Arch Environ Health. 49(1):37-44, Jan-Feb 1994.
  • National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens Substance Profile Formaldehyde.
  • NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde. 1976.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Formaldehyde. 1988.
  • OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Toxic and Hazardous Substances - Formaldehyde. 29 CFR 1910.1048.
  • OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Substance Technical Guidelines for Formalin. 29 CFR 1910.1048 App A.
  • OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Medical Surveillance - Formaldehyde. 29 CFR 1910.1048 App C.
  • Stroup, N.E., Blair, A., and Erikson, G.E.: Brain cancer and other causes of death in anatomists. J Natl Cancer Inst. 77(6):1217-24, December 1986.

Last Updated Date : 12/29/2020